Solutions arise for COVID-19 isolation and shortages
March 15, 2020 – Two days ago, Friday the 13th, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that ALL schools in Illinois will be closed until March 30 to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Yesterday all Chicago public library branches were closed to the public, except for early voters in the primary election, so that administrators could plan their branches’ part in foiling the spread of disease. However, CPL promised that the branch activities would continue as scheduled, beginning today. Today the governor ordered all restaurants to be closed to dine-in customers, starting Tuesday through March 30.
Throughout the country theaters have halted their performances; debates, some churches, sport and other events have prohibited live audiences; companies that rely on production of their items in some foreign countries are experiencing shortages; other companies have told their employees to work from home. Family routines have been upended, resulting in a flood of unhappy campers with no hope of a quick, peaceful return to life as it was.
While the Plant, at 1400 W 46th St in Chicago, has canceled its events, its urban farmer tenants, have joined with Closed Loop Farms to provide delivery service until the pandemic passes. To order, go to www.localline.ca/closedloopfarms ; more products and vendors are added daily. If this short-term solution does not appeal to you, read on.
How, in our isolation from normal routines, can we create our own individual flavors of serenity? How are we to make/do with the uncontrived shortages we encounter?
I suggest that we return to the earth, not by ending it all, but by gardening. Say what?
- If you lack yard space, check out DK Publishing’s Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet(Resources – Educational/Classes on this website). Then begin to apply what you’ve read about.
- Break up the earth with a shovel and hoe. If you lack them, join the Chicago Tool Library at www.chicagotoollibrary.org; it has a sliding scale for membership(same place on this website). Then check out what you need at 1048 W 37th St, #102, Chicago, IL. If you don’t know what or how to use the tools, ask the library staff.
- Purchase seeds or small plants for seasonal produce you want to grow.
- Wet the soil first; then, plant separate seeds/plants at the required spacing during the suggested time of year(listed on the seed packets or plant markers). Lightly cover the seeds with additional soil(crumbled up when you broke up the earth); cover the plants with lightweight fabric. The covers will hide the seeds/plants from the birds.
- Take a gardening break. Return to tasks from your regular job. Go for a walk/run to enjoy other, more advanced works of Nature. Read something that has nothing to do with gardening. Return to the tool library with what you borrowed and thank them for their help. Play a board game or engage in a creative activity with another family member. Write a poem or engage in whatever activity is needed to give your seeds/plants a break from your scrutinizing eye.
- Periodically check on your babies. Touch the soil to check if it is dry; add water sparingly as needed(2-4 weeks for cacti; more often for others. Smile when you see buds. Grin when more shoots appear. Jump up and down when branches/blossoms debut.
- Feed your babies by adding plant debris to your soil. Remember, your babies don’t have teeth. Hide them from the birds.
- Take more breaks.
- Rejoice when you no longer have to hide your plants from the birds.
- Feel your plants. Wait until the produce is ripe enough to pick. Taste it.
- Share it with your neighbors.
Says who that you lack patience? When the pandemic ends, try going back to your normal routine. Can you? What’s changed?